Alan Wake

[LARZ]

New gameplay demo doing the rounds, I'm surprised there isn't already a thread.

tEeYO5VqokQ

[Lazlow]

There was a thread, but it was lost in the great fire.

Getting a strong Silent Hill vibe from this footage. I was kinda hoping that it wasn't going to be another supernatural thriller... but I'm still keen.

[Clockw0rk]

Wasn't it always going to be another supernatural thriller?

[FrozenSoul80]

It looks interesting, particularly the shadowy atmosphere with the safe-havens of light. Not sure how much fun I'll have playing it, however, as I generally suck at survival horror games. Guess we'll wait and see.

[Lazlow]

Wasn't it always going to be another supernatural thriller?

They billed it as a "psychological action thriller". So I was hoping it would play more on the central character's psychoses and paranoia, rather than being about darkness and light fearing demon things. Its only now we're seeing the full extent of their intentions, previous coverage had been rather vague.

[TrinityJayOne]

The world looks ****ing amazing though. I suppose you can do that when you're only seeing part of it at any given time! That section looked quite linear though I gotta say.

[LARZ]

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=103684276323148&ref=nf

Short but STUN WOW *o*

[grimace06]

Is there a concrete release date for this?

[Australian Ninja]

Some time when Alan is awake?

Hope this one is taking forever because they want to make a quality game and fix things, and it doesn't turn into Alan Wake?....Never!

[HiredMan]

Some time when Alan is awake?

Hope this one is taking forever because they want to make a quality game and fix things, and it doesn't turn into Alan Wake?....Never!

Release dates are May 18 (US) and May 21 (Euro) (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/alan-wake-gets-may-release-date) so I guess for Aus we're looking at somewhere around those dates.

[Australian Ninja]

Release dates are May 18 (US) and May 21 (Euro) (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/alan-wake-gets-may-release-date) so I guess for Aus we're looking at somewhere around those dates.

Thank you strange marsupial / dog hybrid being

[Lex]

So random XD

[Tonez]

Haven't read this (http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/02/alan-wake-preview-the-first-full-episode/) as yet as it may contain spoilers.

If anyone is game or doesn't care, let me know if it's safe.

[LARZ]

The barge section in the new gameplay videos looks close to photorealistic. Between this, Metro 2033, Brink and Halo Reach, it seems developers are finally beginning to break through a visual barrier on the 360 (some might call that barrier 'UE3' :P).

[McChimp]

Haven't read this (http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/02/alan-wake-preview-the-first-full-episode/) as yet as it may contain spoilers.

If anyone is game or doesn't care, let me know if it's safe.

Sounds interesting going from that, although the 'episodic' style reminds me of Alone in the Dark, which bothers me. Not to say the game'll be bad, but, Alone in the Dark........yeuchhhhh!

That said, it sounds like it has a very intriguing story, going by the layout of the first 'episode'.

[Tonez]

Sounds interesting going from that, although the 'episodic' style reminds me of Alone in the Dark, which bothers me. Not to say the game'll be bad, but, Alone in the Dark........yeuchhhhh!

That said, it sounds like it has a very intriguing story, going by the layout of the first 'episode'.

To be fair, the episodic styling of Alone in the Dark was actually pretty cool.

[Hyperblau]

Hmmmm

http://www.ebgames.com.au/xbox360-149766-Alan-Wake-Limited-Edition-Xbox-360

[HiredMan]

Hmmmm

http://www.ebgames.com.au/xbox360-149766-Alan-Wake-Limited-Edition-Xbox-360


*strokes beard*

[TrinityJayOne]

Dammit! I knew I shouldn't have shaved!

*strokes day 2 stubble*

[Sweating Bullets]

http://www.jbhifi.com.au/games/alan-wake/

$4 cheaper and you get a crappy light thing

http://www.jbhifi.com.au/images/2010/games/alan-wake-Must-Have-Games-Page_01.png
http://www.jbhifi.com.au/images/2010/games/alan-wake-Must-Have-Games-Page_02.png

[Tonez]

Hmmmmmmmm *strokes goatee*

Just so you know my goatee is two day stubble but it's fully formed.

[LARZ]

That is a very, very attractive CE. I'll probably pick it up for the OST alone.

[/backslash]

Wtf? I thought this was going to be a X360 and PC game but I can't see any pc pre-order on the EB site :( Don't tell me this is going to be another stupid exclusive what was meant to only be a PC title

edit:

*reads some news from Feb '10*

Well, that's f***ed. "Its better to play it in front of the tv", could there be any crappier excuse?

[McChimp]

That probably translates to "MS threw more money at us, and, really, we just can't be bothered with PC, which retailers don't really give a s**t about any more, so that's cool, right?".

[TrinityJayOne]

Piracy would be at the top of the list imo.

[AranchineD]

That and they're still making a PC version

[Tonez]

It was never meant to be a PC exclusive backslash.

[LARZ]

wjNZT9QobIY

*wow*

So pumped for this.

[McChimp]

The release has apparently been bumped FORWARD by a week in Europe! Same for us? Hoping so!!

[TrinityJayOne]

The release has apparently been bumped FORWARD by a week in Europe! Same for us? Hoping so!!
This statement confuses me.


The release
With you so far...

has apparently been bumped
I see. Hopefully not too far away?

by a week
Well that's not too bad! I guess th-

FORWARD
http://members.iinet.net.au/~trinityjayone/forum/headexplode.gif

[ireadtabloids]

This statement confuses me.



With you so far...


I see. Hopefully not too far away?


Well that's not too bad! I guess th-


http://members.iinet.net.au/~trinityjayone/forum/headexplode.gif
That must happen to you a lot. Is it painful?

[TrinityJayOne]

Not as painful as my dry cleaning bills!

http://www.instantrimshot.com/

[Creedy]

Holy fraking shit Alan Wake looks amazing!
Why the hell can't this be on PC???
Day 1 fo shiz ... if I can afford it. I still haven't bought Heavy Rain or God of War 3 and don't know if I'll afford Red Dead Redemption.
:'(

[Lazlow]

AFAIK a PC version hasn't been ruled out

[/backslash]

It was never meant to be a PC exclusive backslash.
Well I'm sure it was/should've been. Seemed to be very PC-like until the last moment, probably because they took so long figuring out what kind of game it was going to be

[Lazlow]

They put any PC version on hold mid-09 to focus on the XBOX360 version. Apparently its in Microsoft's hands whether it makes it to PC or not, Remedy have no issues bringing it across.

[Knuckle Children]

Simply put, I just really, really hope that this game is awesome. Alan Wake is one game that I want to love.

[LARZ]

http://members.iinet.net.au/~trinityjayone/forum/headexplode.gif

Eurgh. That still freaks me out :(

[RunningMild]

It's clear from the latest trailer that Microsoft are setting this up to be some sort of 'Heavy Rain killer'. Blegh.

Wank festival marketing aside, this game looks pretty darn good.

[AranchineD]

To be fair



It probably will be better than Heavy Rain

[Tonez]

Well it'll actually be a game for starters.

[LARZ]

First 12 minutes of Alan Wake is doing the rounds. I gave in and watched it, some stuff we've already seen but its so good...

Vml_Czbc0dg

Also, I got an email from a friend telling me that you can enter a competiton on the Alan Wake Facebook page to play it at an event this Tuesday night (20th April) in Sydney.

[LARZ]

Just had a look at the Facebook page, looks like more of an open invitation than a competition! And you can take friends! I can't do Tuesday night, but someone here in Syd should deffo go and then come here to post impressions :)

[LARZ]

lznkAFzqqMg

[VanAce]

Looks interesting. A good way to build up a game.

[LARZ]

Major Nelson via NY Times; you can watch the first two full episodes of Bright Falls on their blog

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/23/creating-a-video-games-world-with-real-people/

Watching now! :D

[LARZ]

The first one I could live without, the second one was really good. I wish more games had a live action mini-series to accompany their launch... Bayonetta, for example.

[Zace]

The more I read about this game the more I kind of want it.

[LARZ]

I'm so ready for this game, might be the first game I've bought this year that I've actually finished!

[Zeph101]

They had an interview in The Age's Green Guide with the director Matias Myllyrinne today. Claimed inspiration from Lost as a set up for the episodic nature of the story. He also states Stephen King and the new Battlestar Galactica as further examples of inspiration. Sold :D.

edit: thought I'd expand on what the interview stated.
The PC version was dropped for unknown reasons but so too now has the open-sandbox world. Looks like this game will be more streamlined down a set linear path.
Also, the interview is really vague about this so I'll just re-type it here:

'the Xbox 360 action thriller features TV-style presentation and will be delivered in episodic format, which are the key reasons for the change in direction, says Mr. Myllyrinne, ... Modelled from a TV series template, the player's first experience of Alan Wake when it launches will be only season one, ... while there is no official word on a second season yet, Remedy Entertainment has announced that extra downloadable content will be available following the game's launch. "Rather than players waiting for season two, we wanted to build in what we think of as a special, much like Galactica the TV series did between seasons".'

That's the only information about this strange development the interview had. Are we going to be buying a disk which is nothing more than a license to further download the rest of the game? Or is he saying that season 1 will be this game and season 2 will be an already thought out sequel, with expansive downloadable content in-between like Assassin's Creed did?

[LARZ]

Hello thar

pf3mRsYls8s

-QEUBhmtnZ4

wow :D

[Spudzilla]

'the Xbox 360 action thriller features TV-style presentation and will be delivered in episodic format, which are the key reasons for the change in direction, says Mr. Myllyrinne, ... Modelled from a TV series template, the player's first experience of Alan Wake when it launches will be only season one,

That's probably the most stupid reason I've ever heard. Maybe they should just say "The game has taken so ****ing long to get to this point that we just want to get it out on the shelves ASAP and make some money"

[Knuckle Children]

These latest developments are quite disappointing. I want a whole game on launch, not episode 1 of an unfinished story.

[LARZ]

What? Alan Wake consists of "season 1 & 2". For a single player game that runs for more than 10 hours, thats a lot. This gen especially.

[Hyperblau]

Early review from IGN AU

http://au.xbox360.ign.com/articles/108/1087828p1.html

and Eurogamer

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/alan-wake-review

[REQUIEM]

Im able to pick up a copy tonight from my mates game store. Its been a long time coming.

[Hyperblau]

Im picking my copy up tonight. Its been a long tinme coming.

Wait..... what!?

[Lazlow]

Since it's become more evident that this game is more like Silent Hill, I've gone cold on it.

Don't get me wrong I love SH2, but it's not really what I was expecting from this game. It being episodic also fills me with doubt, Too Human will probably never fulfill it's planned story arc, and the Half Life episodes haven't really worked put well.

[Spudzilla]

I will not be purchasing this now, which is a shame because I was looking forward to it for a while until I heard about all the stuff that won't be in the game.

[Hyperblau]

There's reviews popping up everywhere now.

[REQUIEM]

There's reviews popping up everywhere now.

Game stores have recieved there stock so I suppose its up to how much they like you. It will brake before the 20th.

[aubergine]

Joystiq loved it, eurogamer gave it the pissiest, most whining review I think I've ever read, that I didn't write myself.

[Hyperblau]

Jim Sterling at Destructoid and IGN US both gave it a 9. I am still highly anticipating it.

[Hyperblau]

Since it's become more evident that this game is more like Silent Hill, I've gone cold on it.

Don't get me wrong I love SH2, but it's not really what I was expecting from this game. It being episodic also fills me with doubt, Too Human will probably never fulfill it's planned story arc, and the Half Life episodes haven't really worked put well.

You mentioned that.

[/backslash]

Would buy if there was a PS3/PC option *grumble*. Although it sounds like this game has changed as much as the latest Max Payne

[Blake]

Since it's become more evident that this game is more like Silent Hill, I've gone cold on it.

Don't get me wrong I love SH2, but it's not really what I was expecting from this game. It being episodic also fills me with doubt, Too Human will probably never fulfill it's planned story arc, and the Half Life episodes haven't really worked put well.

[AranchineD]

Since it's become more evident that this game is more like Silent Hill, I've gone cold on it.

Don't get me wrong I love SH2, but it's not really what I was expecting from this game. It being episodic also fills me with doubt, Too Human will probably never fulfill it's planned story arc, and the Half Life episodes haven't really worked put well.

You mean since it's become more evident that the game is like Resident Evil 4 with Alan being able to dodge attacks and shit and basically playing like a third person shooter?

[Spudzilla]

This isn't a survival horror

[Lazlow]

You mentioned that.

Sorry, the iPhone screwed up >_>

Point being, when it was intially announced, I was hoping it would be an interesting introspective pyschological thriller, not about monters in the night 'n' shit.

[aubergine]

If it's a rehash of RE4 I'm there. If not, I'm there.

[lex3191]

Sorry, the iPhone screwed up >_>

Point being, when it was intially announced, I was hoping it would be an interesting introspective pyschological thriller, not about monters in the night 'n' shit.

yeah i was hoping for a psychological thriller with a twisted twin peaks vibe, gametrailers, gave it 8.6 pretty much canned the story and the supporting cast. they did say the gameplay and action were great, and the setting eerie and atmospheric. so i am still looking forward to it.

[TrinityJayOne]

Point being, when it was intially announced, I was hoping it would be an interesting introspective pyschological thriller, not about monters in the night 'n' shit.
This. I can't believe it isn't an open world now, what the hell! I'm guessing that they couldn't get a big open world happening while also keeping a strong story flowing, but it's sad to see them Indian-giving such a large feature of the game. Kinda like if Rockstar removed the ability to commit any form of crime in GTA4.

Is the episodic bit quite literally what it sounds like? That they are giving us half of what they have and the rest later? If so, I'm in Spud's boat, paddling far far away from this game on the River of Consumer Choice.

Well, I might try it when I have nothing else but it certainly isn't a day 1 purchase anymore.

[Lazlow]

*monsters

>_>

<_<

f***ing iPhone

[McChimp]

The few reviews I've seen so far paint a pretty good, but linear, picture (especially as far as mood and setting go). Then again, since when was linear bad? I've read so many articles on developers saying that having a big, open-world sandbox is all well and good, but people are given too much free-reign to stray from, and disconnect from, the story.

Frankly, I wasn't buzzed about this before, but from what I've read, this sounds like a winner that'll fill that void that Silent Hill left all those years ago when it started straying from 'quality'.

[Hyperblau]

This. I can't believe it isn't an open world now, what the hell! I'm guessing that they couldn't get a big open world happening while also keeping a strong story flowing, but it's sad to see them Indian-giving such a large feature of the game. Kinda like if Rockstar removed the ability to commit any form of crime in GTA4.

.

I was reading an interview with one of the devs who was saying the reason they removed the open world stuff is because when they first announced Alan Wake, open-world was The buzzword to use. They were just saying open world because thats what people wanted, not what served the game best.

[Lazlow]

When they intially announced the game though, they made it sound like you could attack the game from any direction, as opposed to progressing through a linear series of events.

[VanAce]

When they intially announced the game though, they made it sound like you could attack the game from any direction, as opposed to progressing through a linear series of events.

If the game was like that it could possibly ruin the mood. At least this way if the game is linear sequence the game can be tailored more into a pyhcological thriller it is intended to be.

[TrinityJayOne]

Maybe, but one of the biggest draws for me was the thought of being able to explore the area, fang around in his jeep etc. They specifically promoted this aspect in early videos.

[Hyperblau]

I guess it wasn't working the way they wanted which I think is great, more developers need to realise when a mechanic isnt working and find a way around it.

[AyatollaofRocknRolla]

The lineraity would sharpen the focus of the game. Perhaps an open world would ruin the pacing. I've read a few reviews and it sounds right up my ally. Even the less than enthusiastic Eurogamer review still sold it to me (they gave it a 7). It sounds like they've done a great job creating an atmosphere.

[REQUIEM]

Im loving this game. Its reminds me of playing Resident evil on the Psone back in the day. Suvival horror is back IMO. The backdrops and locations are fantastic and the game really hits the nail on the head when it comes to atmosphere. The torch as a weapon is a novel and enjoyable idea. The only thing that im unsure of is all the product placement. It does add to the reality of the feel but then it can be overdone in places also. Yes the game is story and path driven but its all for the better with the way the game plays.

[Blake]

So are all the following episodes going to be exclusively DLC, or should I just wait for the complete deluxe version in 6 months time?

[lex3191]

so this is out may 20?

[REQUIEM]

So are all the following episodes going to be exclusively DLC, or should I just wait for the complete deluxe version in 6 months time?

I would say they will be DLC only for a while then they will do a GTA4 thing. Official launch date is May 20 however game stores have their stock already.

Edit: This game has a given me an appreciation for Roy Orbison's music, and Im loving the TV episode stylings. I didnt think I would be a fan but its grabbed me, I want to know what happens next to Alan but dont want to finish it straight away.

[RunningMild]

When they intially announced the game though, they made it sound like you could attack the game from any direction, as opposed to progressing through a linear series of events.

The open world also meant the driving sections had a point, instead of (apparently) just being there for the sake of it. :p

[LARZ]

Oh man I wish they'd just release it here now :mad:

[AyatollaofRocknRolla]

I'm hyped for this after listenting to weekend confirmed, rebel fm and giantbombcast this week. They had a lot of good things to say about the game. Apparently the night time and lighting effects are amazing.

[Blake]

Weekend Confirmed? No, it's not possible!

EDIT: Subscribed. I'm man enough to say I miss Garnett. He was almost crying on the last 1up podcast he cameo-ed on.

[AyatollaofRocknRolla]

Weekend Confirmed? No, it's not possible!

EDIT: Subscribed. I'm man enough to say I miss Garnett. He was almost crying on the last 1up podcast he cameo-ed on.

Yup Garnett is back podcasting. 1upyours got me into gaming podcasts so I'm glad Garnett is back at the helm of a new show.

[Antwandemarco]

Had it in my head that this was out today... Ah well when i have red dead available next week i'll most certainly skip this. Maybe wait till it's discounted.

[LARZ]

Had it in my head that this was out today... Ah well when i have red dead available next week i'll most certainly skip this. Maybe wait till it's discounted.

Thats not the spirit :mad: Get both! :D

[Sweating Bullets]

Had it in my head that this was out today... Ah well when i have red dead available next week i'll most certainly skip this. Maybe wait till it's discounted.

That's my plan for this altho the collectors edition looks pretty sweet. Hopefully it will be halfprice in a few months....

Red Dead is definitely the priority next week imo.

[Antwandemarco]

Thats not the spirit :mad: Get both! :D

I'm saving for Europe so have to spend my dosh sparingly :(

[lex3191]

i think they stuffed up the release of this, they should have released it three weeks ago. i would have got it for sure. going up against red dead, no chance. big mistake.

[TrinityJayOne]

I agree, same with a few other titles, such as Blur coming out the week after RDR. I want both but won't be able to put the latter down for some time.

Who was it that already had this, and can we get some more impressions?

[/backslash]

Who was it that already had this, and can we get some more impressions?
Requiem has it I think. He's been awfully quiet though, must be playing too much to post <_<

[AyatollaofRocknRolla]

I'll be getting this on Thursday. Seeing as its relatively short I'd like to play through this before getting lost in RDR, which I'll get to next week.

[Spudzilla]

Absence on PC, Citing Small Dev Team as Cause

Following a highly questionable explanation from Alan Wake publisher Microsoft that Remedy's "pyschological action thriller" wouldn't receive a PC version as the game was not "suited for the intimacy of the PC," Remedy has given VG247 a far better reason.

"Frankly, we're a small studio. We're 50 people, and being a small studio, it makes a lot more sense for us to focus on one platform," said Remedy's Oskari Häkkinen.

"Saying that Alan Wake is best played of a sofa with 5.1 surround and a big TV screen, I think is more of a preference than anything else," head of the Alan Wake franchise Häkkinen stated, rejecting Microsoft's flimsy explanation. "We're not going out there to say that PC gamers can't enjoy it from their own PC set-up. We're certainly not saying that. We have a strong heritage in PC gaming as well."

"Currently we're fully focused on the Xbox version, and [as for] what the future holds, we haven't got anything to announce, and we haven't thought that far right now," he said.

However, this latest development only explains why a PC version is not in development simultaneously and it seems the fate of any hypothetical PC edition still lies in the hands of Microsoft. Speaking on whether a PC version could ever appear, Häkkinen said that would require a "sit down" with Microsoft to "see where the title goes," mirroring Remedy's early comments that it "would love to see" Alan Wake on PC but "this decision lies with our publisher."

Really, it was a pretty stupid explanation in the first place, but at least now I understand why it's not on PC.

[Hyperblau]

Anyone else watched the Bright Falls prequel vids?

http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/all-six-episodes-of-bright-falls-now-available-online/

[Cobla]

Played through the first hour last night (the first episode plus a bit from the second) and so far I'm loving it. We're definitely gonna need a spoiler thread!

[aubergine]

More and more games will be released on console well before PC, it's far better anti-piracy than any software DRM.

[AranchineD]

More and more games will be released on console well before PC, it's far better anti-piracy than any software DRM.


He says despite the fact that games invariably leak on console first.

[LARZ]

Oh man its almost here *wiggles* :D

[HiredMan]

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m198/Dance_Nation/tumbleweed.jpg

;)

[LARZ]

Game is amazing :D

[Hyperblau]

I feel bad for my copy, if Red Dead didn't get released today it would have been getting played right now.

[LARZ]

I feel bad for my copy, if Red Dead didn't get released today it would have been getting played right now.

Yeah, I have both games sitting on my desk. Chose to play AW first thought because I've been waiting for it the longest. However, a whole lot of tomorrow will be dedicated to RDR :)

[dimorphic]

I bought AW over RDR. I won't buy it until I've clocked Wake.

[banjoeskimo]

Having great fun so far. I'm upto the third episode and thus far it's just as creepy, terrifying and weird as I hoped.

Quick question for anyone who knows - if I play through the game a second time do I have to get all the coffee thermoses and manuscripts in one go, or is it cumulative through multiple playthroughs ala the treasure in Uncharted?

Also, I highly, highly recommend downloading and watching Bright Falls (the prequel webisode series to the game) as it's surprisingly well made and does a great job of setting up the game.

[Mr.Mew]

I'd say it's cumulative. I'd also say you can choose to replay whichever episode you like from a list of such after you've completed the game.

This game is definitely creepy; it's mostly the subtle things which get me, hearing footsteps from behind and when I turn around I can't hear them any more. Combat is heaps of fun as well. The game just downright rocks.

[HiredMan]

I think I'll grab this next week. The Eurogamer review put me off a little, but I think it's an anomaly (almost all the other reviews I've seen were very positive). All of the footage I've seen looks outstanding.

[LARZ]

This game is definitely creepy; it's mostly the subtle things which get me, hearing footsteps from behind and when I turn around I can't hear them any more. Combat is heaps of fun as well. The game just downright rocks.

The heavy breathing is horrible. In a good way.

As for the Eurogamer review... they couldn't be further from the mark. This game is so, so good.

[HiredMan]

I'm a bit worried about Eurogamer lately tbh. It seems they may be giving low scores just for the page hits. Still has the best reviews overall though imo.

[AranchineD]

Okay, if you guys could just satisfy my curiosity, just for clarifcation:

7 is a low score now?

[Jay]

To be fair the review reads like a 6 or even a 5. But numerical scores are as ****ed as the people who post in the Eurogamer comments threads.

[AranchineD]

I'll have you know that Eurogamer comments threads are one of the main sources of comedy that I've found on the internet.

[AyatollaofRocknRolla]

I ended up getting the CE at JBhifi last night, mostly just becuase the girl serving me was hot and suggested I could put my trades toward that instead. It turns out its pretty cool though. When you take off the sleeve it looks like a hardcover Alan Wake book. Its got a soundtrack , making of and art book to.

I played the first Ep last night. This games got atmosphere in spades, and the narrative style of the game is a good change of pace from what I've been playing of late. I like the episodic presentation, it works well to give a satisfying conclusion to a play session.

If you haven't yet I recommend the Bright Falls webisodes. They are a good lead in to the game. Quite well done.


Okay, if you guys could just satisfy my curiosity, just for clarifcation:

7 is a low score now?

It is when reviews don't seem to use the whole scale. Most games fall between 6 and 10. Therefore 7 would not be good. I've always interpreted 7 to mean the game would be good for a specific audience , but not necessarily for everyone, a game thats flawed, but if the subject matter appeals you could probably look past the faults.

[HiredMan]

Okay, if you guys could just satisfy my curiosity, just for clarifcation:

7 is a low score now?

In isolation no, but relative to almost all of the other review scores for Alan Wake it is.

EG gave RDR an 8/10 too, which of course is not a bad score, but seeing as all of the other reviews I've seen for RDR are over 90-95/100, it is a relatively low score too (also bearing in mind that Edge gave it a 9/10, and they do tend to use the whole scale).

[aubergine]

Ignoring the scores, the reviews from Eurogamer in recent months have seemed weirdly negative and out of balance.

[dimorphic]

Eurogamer scores based on how many hits they think they'll get from the score they give. They are a terrible source, imo.

[Allick]

I know this game has been ultra-hyped, but I didn't really know much about it. The other night I saw it on Good Game and reckon it looks sweet. Wish it was on PS3 :(

[Mr.Mew]

The one thing I feel ruins this game is collectibles, same goes for other titles like Uncharted and such, it just yanks me out of the immersion when all of a sudden I realize I haven't looked around enough for that one other stupid coffee thermo.

That and the camera used while in vehicles.

[quantum]

i was thinking of buying this game until i read on the game box that it needs a hard drive, what for, or could i play this without the hard drive.

[Bokracroc]

The question that should be asked here is 'Why DON'T you have a hard-drive?'

[Thraxas]

I played the first chapter last night and I ****ing loved every second it. I'm hoping it keeps being this good for the entire game.

But Alan Wake himself so far came across as ****ing tool. Gets pissy about the guy asking for an interview, has no time to be nice to one of his fans, and then has a hissy fit about his wife trying to help him get through his writers block. Pretty unlikeable character so far.

I love the manuscript pages, particularly when you find one and then later the scene described occurs.

[REQUIEM]

I played the first chapter last night and I ****ing loved every second it. I'm hoping it keeps being this good for the entire game.

But Alan Wake himself so far came across as ****ing tool. Gets pissy about the guy asking for an interview, has no time to be nice to one of his fans, and then has a hissy fit about his wife trying to help him get through his writers block. Pretty unlikeable character so far.

I love the manuscript pages, particularly when you find one and then later the scene described occurs.

They make a point about Alan being a tool. Im on chapter 5 and there are several instances where he gets paid out for being a soft writer boy.

[LARZ]

i was thinking of buying this game until i read on the game box that it needs a hard drive, what for, or could i play this without the hard drive.

Err, as far as I'm aware you don't need an HDD to play it.

Do you have a USB stick? :confused:

Meanwhile, this game just keeps delivering.

[Ninjalada]

I saw this on the shelf in EB yesterday, I had to do a double take because I couldn't believe that it was actually out!

I'll have to get it asap.

[Thraxas]

Played some more today and I'm enjoying it even more. I was worried that after waiting so long to play it, that I would be hugely disappointed, but so far I have nothing but LOVE for this game.

I love the radio shows and that ****ed up TV show, 'Quantum Suicide' was hilarious.

[Ninjalada]

Picked it up today from JB for $79.

I've just started the second episode, I love it how it's like a TV show, complete with "previously on Alan Wake" flashbacks.

[LARZ]

Finished. Amazing. Art :D

[Mr.Mew]

Lordy. Old Gods of Asgard put the Midnight Riders to shame.

[HiredMan]

So, I should buy this on Thursday yeah?

[Ninjalada]

So, I should buy this on Thursday yeah?

Yes, you should. JB HiFi have it for $79.

[Tonez]

Really have no idea what Eurogamer was on about. The atmosphere is incredible and it's been a long time since I've finished a chaper or "episode" and just can't put it down.

[Natrak]

Definitely picking Alan Wake up once I'm done with Red Dead Redemption. In fact, I'm very tempted to pick it up before then.

[adam_91vn]

Definitely picking Alan Wake up once I'm done with Red Dead Redemption. In fact, I'm very tempted to pick it up before then.

Same. I don't think I will be done with red dead for a while though. Might pick up this and finish it then go back.

[AyatollaofRocknRolla]

I just completed episode 3 yesterday. I'm really enjoying the story and the atmosphere. I'm just playing an episode at a time. Its really well paced and each episode has some sort of conclusion but leaves you hanging to see whats around the corner. Its really well done.

[Tonez]

Definitely picking Alan Wake up once I'm done with Red Dead Redemption. In fact, I'm very tempted to pick it up before then.

Yeah I got both last week and have been playing Red Dead during the day and Alan Wake at night.

I think it's time for me to posse up on Red Dead tonight. You're on my list aren't you?

[Jickle]

Just finished Episode One. In Dreams is playing (the song Ben sings in Blue Velvet)! Along with all the Twin Peaks stuff, Remedy must love David Lynch.

[Zeph101]

Okay I'm a bit confused in how the DLC works in this game.

When you buy the game, do you get a full game that will have small expansion packs later for DLC, or do you get the first part of the game with the rest eventually available through DLC? I can't seem to find an answer to this.

Gotta say though it doesn't matter that much. What I've played so far is brilliant.

[Natrak]

When you buy the game you get the full game and a free download code for the first piece of episodic DLC.

[Dukotoja]

coffe coffee, need more coffee!

[Ninjalada]

Goddam Taken sneaking up on me. Kinda sick of getting stabbed in the back.

[Dukotoja]

look behind you?

I am liking this game a lot. i love the way the story is being told not only in a tv show format (the end of episodes always has me begging for more but also gives me an indication that I should take a break) but also the manuscript pages giving you little hints on what's coming up next.

there is no way i will be able to find all the coffee.

[Mr.Mew]

Loved the Payne grimmace cameo ^.^ I think the two pages from The Sudden Stop are voiced by the same VA as Max Payne as well.

After Alan Wake, Max Payne 3 is looking interesting.

[LARZ]

I just noticed that the sequence of events in the video I posted as the OP aren't actually in the final game... Pretty cool, I wonder what else they changed so close to release.

[Ninjalada]

look behind you?


Unfortunately I can't look at where I'm going and behind me at the same time. Most of the time the game notifies you when Taken show up but sometimes they just appear behind you with no warning.

Did anyone else find the 360 in Hartman's clinic?

[LARZ]

Unfortunately I can't look at where I'm going and behind me at the same time. Most of the time the game notifies you when Taken show up but sometimes they just appear behind you with no warning.

Did anyone else find the 360 in Hartman's clinic?

Yeah and the Night Springs game :D

Btw, whenever you flick a switch, start a generator of open a trunk of goodies the first thing to do is swing the camera around behind you.

[aubergine]

With no quick turn and a lack of third-person distance, it can be irritating when they materialise behind you with the first hint a stabbing wound. I've learned to
spin run constantly though.

I started on Hard and, I think I'm in episode 5 now, it actually DOES get hard, but I hope
on Nightmare the early chapters get much more challenging and tense. Enemies were too few and far between and I didn't really start to get into it until later difficulty increase brought done tension to the gameplay.

[Dukotoja]

I started on Hard and, I think I'm in episode 5 now, it actually DOES get hard, but I hope
on Nightmare the early chapters get much more challenging and tense. Enemies were too few and far between and I didn't really start to get into it until later difficulty increase brought done tension to the gameplay.

this is good news. i just started episode 3 on hard and its been far to easy thus far.

[dimorphic]

So I haven't touched this since I got RDR. I knew it'd happen.

[Mr.Mew]

There was one instance, or 'level', which I was looking forwards to after reading about it: that of having to make your way through town during the day avoiding the police while also avoiding locations with little light to not get eaten up by the darkness. Let down this didn't end up in, but it didn't detract from the game majorly.

Still totally wish Remedy end up making something like that, though.

[Creedy]

:'(

I hate having no money!!!
Dick Smith, Video Ezy and The Good Guys were all laughing at me today.
All the games I want staring me in the eye.

[Dukotoja]

turn to crime.

[Ninjalada]

Did anyone else go down into the silver mine at the end of Episode 3? (Ransom) That was some creepy shit.

And lol @ cardboard cutout Alan.

[HiredMan]

Played for about an hour last night. The game looks amazing, Alan is a whiny emo.

[Dukotoja]

Alan is a whiny emo.

yeah i thought that this would get on my nerves a lot more then it actually has.

[HiredMan]

Haha, yeah. I actually find it more amusing than annoying and like to yell insults at him for being an emo whilst playing.

Also I find it particularly funny (and in keeping with the whinger theme) that, to me, the model for his face makes it look like he's about to burst into tears at any moment.

[REQUIEM]

I have stopped at episode 6 just to stretch it out a little. I only play at night in the dark with the sound cranked and a few pints in me.

[Natrak]

Picked it up this arvo. I just got done playing through Episode 1, I really like it thus far and the episode structure seems really cool.

The fight before the gas station was pretty awesome.

[Ninjalada]

I finished the game last night but I didn't really get the ending...

...the last thing Alan says is "It is not a lake, it is an ocean" and he says itin a distorted voice, just like one of the Taken. So did he ultimately sccumb to the Darkness?What did he mean by "it is an ocean"?

[LARZ]

There is some good analysis here

http://forum.alanwake.com/index.php

Check out this loon's thread for lols

http://forum.alanwake.com/showthread.php?t=3490

her facebook group is still there haha :D

[Dukotoja]

just finished ep 3. i know ive said this before but this episode system really makes me like the game a lot more then i would if it was just levels. the cliffhangers make me feel like im watching a really good tv show that i can wait to download the next episode of. also the music after each ep is also pretty good.

Haha, yeah. I actually find it more amusing than annoying and like to yell insults at him for being an emo whilst playing.


bwhaha. ive started doing this now as well and my enjoyment levels have sky-rocketed as a result.

[Jickle]

Episode 3/the start of Episode 4 are really cool. I hope the game keeps up the trajectory it has established, because I'm liking it more and more. At first I was a bit disappointed at how little there was between the fighting-in-the-dark sections (which may have been a kneejerk reaction to how shitty the nightmare sections were in the surprisingly-thematically-similar Silent Hill: Shattered Memories), but now I'm really enjoying....everything. I really love picking up pieces of the manuscript and finding that they describe something that's about to happen as well. Great game so far.

[Ninjalada]

I thought that the last episode was the worst of them all. Disappointing.

[LARZ]

I thought that the last episode was the worst of them all. Disappointing.

I was disappointed with the last episode as well, it is definitely the most action packed though, it just feels like a bit of a chore. Its the games weakest link but the ending more than makes up for it :D

Hey you finally have a positive K/D Ratio!

[aubergine]

Took a break after ep 4 or 5. I'm really enjoying it after the slow beginning and the set-piece at the farm was both epic and hilarious. I did find it very unsettling though how Barry kept, impossibly, producing the Alan Wake cutout display. I mean how the **** did he get it out of the Cauldron Lake lodge?

I played it until 3 or 4 am, which I just can't afford to be doing. Took a look at the clock and - holy shit! - it's 2:30am. Walked around the corner and - ah **** it! - it's 3:30 am.

[Ninjalada]

I was disappointed with the last episode as well, it is definitely the most action packed though, it just feels like a bit of a chore. Its the games weakest link but the ending more than makes up for it :D

Hey you finally have a positive K/D Ratio!

I totally aggree. It did have the most action but it was quite annoying, especially the driving sections. The Tornado was a bit of an anti-climax.

And I've had a positive kdr for quite a while. :)

[Jickle]

The bit in Episode 4 where

you battle the Taken on stage

is incredibly awesome. I love this game.

[Ninjalada]

The bit in Episode 4 where

you battle the Taken on stage

is incredibly awesome. I love this game.

Ah yeah that bit was cool. I was trying to get the achievement for not getting hit once during that bit but I kept on getting hit by the guys who throw the scythe things. ****ers.

[Dukotoja]

so im in ep 4 and my instructions are to 'follow sarah' but sarah is just standing around not doing anything. guess ill have to restart the entire ep cause my last check point was when she started being useless.

[AyatollaofRocknRolla]

Just finished the game. The ending was quite something. I'm looking foward to see where they go with the DLC. A really great narrative overall. There's a few points where is drags a bit, but each episode is quite satisfying, and propels you foward.

so im in ep 4 and my instructions are to 'follow sarah' but sarah is just standing around not doing anything. guess ill have to restart the entire ep cause my last check point was when she started being useless.

If you go on ahead does she snap out of it? or are you in an area where you need her to open something?

[LARZ]

so im in ep 4 and my instructions are to 'follow sarah' but sarah is just standing around not doing anything. guess ill have to restart the entire ep cause my last check point was when she started being useless.

Run ahead of her and she will start moving. Dumb, I know.

[Spudzilla]

That's what happens when you rush out a game for a quick buck.

[HiredMan]

I was checking in the DLC menu last night... apparently the first DLC episode appears to be out already (800 funbucks)? Has it been out since launch?

[aubergine]

In your packet there's a slip of paper that describes the date of
release, which I thought to be June or July. Well I guess it is June-ish now.

[Spudzilla]

I can't see why it couldn't have just been put into the release.

micro$oft hurr

[Dukotoja]

If you go on ahead does she snap out of it? or are you in an area where you need her to open something?

pretty sure i needed to her to open a gate, i couldn't find any way to continue moving forward (in the hope that if i got far enough away from her she would spawn on me)

[JC Henderson]

I was checking in the DLC menu last night... apparently the first DLC episode appears to be out already (800 funbucks)? Has it been out since launch?

Not out for a while yet but free if you bought the game new.

[HiredMan]

Not out for a while yet but free if you bought the game new.

Yeah, I have the code that gets it for you for free. What I'm saying is, when I checked the (in game) DLC menu last night, it said the 1st episode was available now for 800pts and the second one was "coming soon".

[Natrak]

That's strange, it should say the 1st episode is around 60 days away.

[HiredMan]

I'll check again tonight.

[Tonez]

I entered the download code when I bought the game and it downloaded a 550MB file. I have no idea where this file is or what it is.

I hope this doesn't stuff up my free download.

[Mr.Mew]

Rofl. That doesn't sound too good, downloading something not yet released. You should totally exploit it if it's playable; Hyper could benefit talking on the content a month before it's proper released. I wouldn't be too worried, once you download something you can dl it again thanks to the little tick noting that you've bought it.

I kinda paid close attention to the words on the code docket, as it says "First DLC out some time in July". Moreover one of those Live Insider things which I've been watching recently has the Producer or whatever clearly stating the first DLC is out July 28th. And as Natrak noted there's a ticker counting down days to release in the DLC menu.

[jawsy]

Ah yeah that bit was cool. I was trying to get the achievement for not getting hit once during that bit but I kept on getting hit by the guys who throw the scythe things. ****ers.

I thought the achievement was for not getting into low health? Or is there another one attached to that set-piece?

[schrodingerscat]

Just finished it the other day. Sam Lake knows how to write a good game: The part where the written words turn into objects was great.

[aubergine]

I entered the download code when I bought the game and it downloaded a 550MB file. I have no idea where this file is or what it is.

I hope this doesn't stuff up my free download.

hopefully the worst you'll have to do is go to your Download History (in account management I think) and select download again for it when the thing goes live.

[Natrak]

Just got done with Episode 2, I'm really enjoying the game.

I got caught by one of the cheap scares. I was in the first empty cabin you come across after leaving Barry, listening to the radio when I spotted someone run by the window. I was a little on edge when I left the cabin as I looked around the environment for the guy, continuing on my way. Suddenly there was a loud, high pitched roar and something fell (can't remember what), but the moment caused me to let out a yelp. I then laughed at myself.

Making that first bear trap glow was a dick move, I walked right into it thinking it was a pickup. Of course, after that the glow makes sense, since you know to avoid them. :P

[Dukotoja]

I got caught by one of the cheap scares. I was in the first empty cabin you come across after leaving Barry, listening to the radio when I spotted someone run by the window.

that bit freaked me out as well, i couldn't ever find the guy but it was a good addition, i wonder if there are any more bits in the game like this that ive missed.

[Natrak]

That wasn't the part that really freaked me out, it just had me in alert 'it's go time' mode, it was what happened after that as I was walking along the trail that got me. :P

[Ninjalada]

I thought the achievement was for not getting into low health? Or is there another one attached to that set-piece?

Ah yeah, thats right. I still didn't get it, ****!

[Mr.Mew]

The first moment of environmental stress in the game still holds a place in my heart, trapped in a cabin which violently shakes; spurred thoughts of Garry's Mod physics cramming everything into one corner of the room.

The television with the eye was pretty cool to. Made me laugh on the second playthrough though, I'd completely forgot about it.

[banjoeskimo]

I entered the download code when I bought the game and it downloaded a 550MB file. I have no idea where this file is or what it is.

I hope this doesn't stuff up my free download.

It's a behind the scenes doco that shows some of the making of Alan Wake. When you enter that code, it registers with XBL that you've got a new copy of the game, and when the DLC is released you'll be issued a second code to whatever email address is tied to your gamertag so you'll be able to get the first DLC ep for free.

[Dukotoja]

just finished ep 5. half way through this episode is a hilarious moment when alan jumps off a small cliff in a cut scene and falls over like a retard. i giggled. im starting to think his whole character is a joke. reviews of this game stated that it was good that Barry was around for comic relief but i find alan fills this role much better.

[Natrak]

Hot damn, Episode 4 was awesome!

[FF Freak]

So a live-action Alan Wake teaser trailer appeared recently with remedy stating more info would appear as early as next wednesday. be interesting to see what it's about.

Started my second play-through, this time with the dev commentary, but only through the Nightmare/dream section of chapter 1.

[schrodingerscat]

I really think that the episode format was refreshing. Made me want to keep playing. Damn biology finals.

[/backslash]

Watched a couple of walkthrough HD vids on youtube, really want to buy it now :( I did think about getting an Xbox 360 for a brief moment, hopefully it'll make its way onto PS3/PC eventually

[Natrak]

Just buy a 360 already.

[Slippery]

Buy us 360's already.

[/backslash]

Just buy a 360 already.
Best deal for an Elite console? /slightly raised eyebrows

I don't want to buy it for 1 game again, which is what I did with the original Xbox (bought other games for it but never got into them). I do like a lot of the 360's general features such as better UI, ability to charge controllers whilst in standby & no need to download the whole 200mb firmware patch - just the ones that have been changed. The RROD puts me off though, would be nice if Microsoft released a new version that wasn't so unreliable

[/backslash]

Hmm, think I've found the best deal. Xbox Elite + 4 games (Halo 3, Halo ODST, Forza 3 & Fable II) for $399 at EB. Hopefully they come in separate packaging so I can trade the Halo games

[Jay]

Playing through this now having finished RDR. Apart from the utterly woeful writing (which I'm not prepared to write off as an ironic comment about the shocking pulpy standard of most horror writing - 5 years in development? Hire a ****ing writer!) and annoying voiceover which threatens to ruin the tension at every turn, it's incredibly engaging. I love that you can genuinely lose your bearings in the forest (without it being frustrating), and there have been a couple of lovely set-pieces. I'm right at the end of Episode 3, and apparently the big set-piece in Ep 4 is brilliant, so looking forward to that.

Enjoying the TV presentation of it as well.

[aubergine]

Good but short, lacking enemy variety and worth maybe $50 given it's only half the game (given there's to be at least 3 dl episodes it can't be a spoiler to say the game doesn't wholly conclude, but nor is it a wholly unsatifying ending either.)

I traded it back (at a loss of about $15) and will probably buy again when the DLC is all available and the game cheap.

[FF Freak]

I'm already looking forward to what remedy has announced as season 2. With the release of the game and the announcement of at least 2 DLC they said that they already had the story written for "season 2". So hopefully sequel in the works already.

[Natrak]

Fallout 3 was half a game, look at all the DLC they released for that. ****ing developers holding content at ransom.

[Jay]

Fallout 3 was large enough on its own to justify full price though, surely?

[/backslash]

and apparently the big set-piece in Ep 4 is brilliant, so looking forward to that.
Hint: Think Brutal Legend ;)

I'm onto Chapter 5 on the youtube walkthrough vids, still wishing I could play it on the PS3 :(

[Natrak]

I would have gotten about 10-12 hours out of my first playthrough of Alan Wake. I wouldn't consider it to be half a game.

Just because things aren't wrapped up in a neat little package by the end of the game doesn't mean it's a device to sell a couple of episodes of DLC. Alan Wake left you with some questions, some mystery and this wasn't purely done as a marketing ploy but because it's a hallmark of the sort of things that influenced it, from Stephen King to Twin Peaks to Lost.

Furthermore Remedy have stated that the DLC that's to be released won't be a direct continuation of the story so much as it will act as a bridge between Alan Wake and a possible sequel ('Season 2').

"It'll give you a different perspective on the things you've done on season one and then try to set you up for the possible things you're going to do in season two."

You're really not paying for 'half a game' only to have to buy into DLC episodes just so you can get some kind of real ending.

The worth of the game is certainly subjective, but to slam it as half a game just because it had some unanswered questions and Remedy are working on some DLC is just dumb.

[Jay]

Now at the beginning of Episode 6. Fun game. What you learn in the Room of Light was a cool reveal.

[Mr.Mew]

Hint: Think Brutal Legend ;)

I think a comparison to L4D2's Midnight Riders would be a better example. I feel the Old Gods of Asgard is the better show though.

[aubergine]

Natrak's (over-sensitive?) response aside, Wake is worth playing but I stand by it being half done. The driving feels like a tacked on vestigal tail of the original open-world concept and adds nothing (why don't I have to ram-race or avoid possessed cars or out run a nemesis Mack Truck?) there are two enemy types and two environmental hazards (Shadow Ganados and Possesed Tractor, and flock-o-dark-birds and poltergiest objects) and nearly no variation to what you are doing, how you deal with enemies etc.

I can't help but hold this up against Resident Evil 4, as an obvious gameplay forefather, and while Alan Wake is a far better successor than Resident Evil 5, the variety in gameplay, environments, enemies and the sheer length doesn't remotely hold up to RE4.

As for the DLC, it's not comparable to Fallout 3 because this DLC continues the main plot / direct fate of the main character and in a wholly linear fashion. I'm very willing to bet that the (code included) DLC was finished an in the can before Alan Wake shipped, and that holding back it's release is a tactic to reduce the second hand trade of the game for it's first two months.

[/backslash]

The driving feels like a tacked on vestigal tail of the original open-world concept and adds nothing
Those driving sections felt very similar to Alone in the Dark, clumsy & could've been done much better. Would've worked better if they just made that into cutscenes & seeing him smack down people

[Natrak]

Natrak's (over-sensitive?) response aside, Wake is worth playing but I stand by it being half done. The driving feels like a tacked on vestigal tail of the original open-world concept and adds nothing (why don't I have to ram-race or avoid possessed cars or out run a nemesis Mack Truck?) there are two enemy types and two environmental hazards (Shadow Ganados and Possesed Tractor, and flock-o-dark-birds and poltergiest objects) and nearly no variation to what you are doing, how you deal with enemies etc.

I have absolutely no problem with those criticisms. The driving sections most definitely felt like a left-over from when the game was open-world and could have been scrapped (although I didn't mind them as a change of pace). And there's a definite lack of variety in the combat and your enemies.

Those problems aside I found myself really enjoying the game for its atmosphere, story (ham-fisted dialogue and all), pacing and found that in spite of the lack of variety the actual mechanics to the combat were a lot of fun. It's definitely a title I expect to hang onto.

I don't have a problem with the fact you didn't want to hang onto it, I just felt your initial criticism was daft.

As for the DLC, it's not comparable to Fallout 3 because this DLC continues the main plot / direct fate of the main character and in a wholly linear fashion. I'm very willing to bet that the (code included) DLC was finished an in the can before Alan Wake shipped, and that holding back it's release is a tactic to reduce the second hand trade of the game for it's first two months.I'm not saying they're the same case, I was just being overly sarcastic in my frustration with the attitude that whenever a game has DLC announced (whether it be before or after a game's release) consumers are not getting a full game.

I'm quite sure I've read that work on the DLC wasn't to begin until work on the full game had been finished.

And again, Remedy could just be blowing smoke, but the episodes on the way aren't intended to be a direct continuation of the story.

[aubergine]

I'm not saying that it's half-a-game because there's pre-planned DLC coming - was Assassins' Creed II half a game for that? No! If anything, ACII was TOO LONG and I'm glad they cut some material. I'm saying that Alan Wake feels too short to me, a feeling probably amplified through lack of variety, and that the "Project $20-esque" included DLC code content may have been deliberately delayed in it's release - which is a Shane because the continuation from the game's end would have helped.

As for the dlc being or not being a continuation, I haven't heard about it being a flashback or anything, you'd think it would pick up on the uncertain fate of the protaganist...

I have never been on the "dlc expansions are a conpiracy to rip us off should-be-on-the-disc" wahndbagon but I also think it would be very naive to think games like Tomb Raider Underworld (rushed out short with culled levels provided later as dlc) don't deserve rigorous examination of the value those business decisions leave the consumer with their purchase of the disc.

[WhyMe]

So apparently I should watch some David Lynch films before I play this. Which ones would people recommend? Obviously I should, apparently, watch lots of them. But I'm talking about ones that might make me smile as I play Alan Wake.

[Natrak]

Probably just watch Blue Velvet (for the In Dreams connection) and the Twin Peaks series.

[oogi2000]

Goddamn Alan Wake has some crappy lip syncing and characters who fall into the uncanny valley. I am looking at you Mrs. Wake.

Otherwise, it has been a good romp so far but nothing really noteworthy for the amount of time it lingered in development.

[schrodingerscat]

Those driving sections felt very similar to Alone in the Dark, clumsy & could've been done much better. Would've worked better if they just made that into cutscenes & seeing him smack down people

Comparing it to Alone in the Dark? Come on, let's not say things we can't take back.

I'm really confused by the criticism this game is receiving. I understand that it's a short game. But compared to a lot of the generic crap out there, it's a god send.

The dialogue is most certainly not ham-fisted. It's supposed to be ironic. Just like Max Payne.

[Jay]

I'm sorry but I do not buy that it is ironic. You could easily make the same point about bad pulpy horror writing without condemning your entire narrative to a death sentence with it.

I'm with you on criticisms of length. It's short, but so what? It never outstays its welcome and the pacing is pretty good.

[Second]

ie: too short

[Jay]

Um, no. Too short is your dick :p . This is a perfect length. More like mine. :)

[REQUIEM]

Comparing it to Alone in the Dark? Come on, let's not say things we can't take back.

I'm really confused by the criticism this game is receiving. I understand that it's a short game. But compared to a lot of the generic crap out there, it's a god send.

The dialogue is most certainly not ham-fisted. It's supposed to be ironic. Just like Max Payne.

Its a good game by any means however was it worth the 5 year wait? probably not. Jay said it best when he stated "it never outstays its welcome". Only time and DLC will tell.

[Jay]

Depends if all you were doing was waiting for it. If so then no, and, um, get a life. But I managed to play other things in the interim.

[REQUIEM]

Depends if all you were doing was waiting for it. If so then no, and, um, get a life. But I managed to play other things in the interim.

Was that aimed at me J? I was agreeing with you as i like AW alot.

[Jay]

Not really aimed at you. Just me being a smart arse on account of the whopping hangover I had this morning. :p (the World Cup is gonna kill me!)

[Second]

So, I started Alan Wake today. Thus far it's pretty disappointing.

[Second]

BTW that was my first post in here. Any others were Spud.

[Second]

Ergh. Seriously, 9 years and we get half the game and it plays like a piece of shit?

This game is bad. Bad bad bad bad. BAD!

[Spudzilla]

Finished it on Second's behalf.

I'm glad I didn't buy it because there was really nothing I enjoyed, except for Space Oddity during the end credits and the nice graphics. There weren't any survival aspects to the game, thanks to health that regenerates instead of conserving health items. I ALWAYS had way more ammo than I needed and it felt like the developers knew this, so they decided to take away all of my weapons over half-a-dozen times, like they were trying to cheaply preserve the players feeling of helplessness when walking through alone through a forest. I also enjoyed it more when the camera didn't swing around and show me exactly where a threat was coming from, which essentially meant I didn't have to be alert at all as the game would do the monster spotting for me.

It's probably been said thousands of times, but **** I hated Barry so much. If it wasn't any of the points I mentioned earlier that ruins the 'horror' aspect of the game, it was Barry running around with lamp on his head and wrapped in christmas lights, cracking awful jokes when instead the game should be building suspense. He just never shut up either. During that bit where you're escaping the hospital, I was happy fighting the Taken alone until I unfortunately opened a door with Barry behind it. As soon as the door crept open and Barry saw the tip of Alan's shoe as he was entering the room, it was just nonstop "ALAN ALAN ALAN ALAN ALAN". I was pretty upset that there was no way I could raise the gun and shoot him in his thick head.

The game presented itself really well and looked great, but I didn't enjoy anything beyond that. Even when the story was jumping all over the place, I started to enjoy that a bit more as the game went on, but then it just ended and it felt incomplete, leaving me feel pretty unsatisfied.

[/backslash]

I ALWAYS had way more ammo than I needed and it felt like the developers knew this, so they decided to take away all of my weapons over half-a-dozen times, like they were trying to cheaply preserve the players feeling of helplessness when walking through alone through a forest.
With the youtube walkthrough vid the guy was playing it on 'Nightmare' and even though he was pretty crap at it there was always way more ammo than what he actually needed. So in a game that should be about conserving your bullets you feel like Rambo. Dunno what Remedy were thinking when they did that, Nightmare seemed pretty easy to me

[Spudzilla]

The only time I ended up using the flare gun was because I was worried it would get taken away from me again and I'll never get a chance to fire it. All I needed was the pistol and some road flares

[oogi2000]

Did anyone else hate the fact you started each new goddamn episode with none of the gear you collected previously?

[FF Freak]

It was irritating but sometimes explainable. (ok it's explainable for 1 chapter only).

[grimace06]

I've just finished this. It's a fantastic game and I'm mystified by a few of the criticisms in this thread.

1. DLC. Yeah, this whole "DLC near release means it should have been included" douchebaggery needs to stop. The sense of entitlement in some people is ridiculous.

2. Length. I actually thought this game was a bit too long - a lot of the sequences had me thinking "Ok, now they're just stretching things out".

3. Barry. Ruins the horror theme? Come on - what about Night Springs, the talk show or the radio? Seems to me like he fits in with the rest of the goofy elements of this game.

If anything the worst things about the game were the climbing/jumping mechanics and the fact that Nightingale was a pointless character. Oh and no quick turn.

[Spudzilla]

You read it here first: grimace 06 is a Barry fan.

[Spudzilla]

There's also a difference between the TV shows and Barry. The shows were somewhat entertaining and completely optional, plus there were only about 5 of them in game. On the other hand Barry is just an irritating shit who you have to put up with for long periods and there's no way to shut him up.

Also it was obvious to me early on that the novel The Sudden Stop (or whatever its name was) was about Max Payne. That whole tv interview with Alan Wake felt like it was Remedy's way of saying "We're done with Max Payne and we're now focusing on Alan" which is a real shame considering I loved the Max Payne games and didn't get anything out of this except for a few posts slagging it off.

[adam_91vn]

Started playing this last night.

Do need to wait unitl the light exposes them (if you know what I mean) before you start firing your gun? I was just doing it at the same time but I dont want to be wasting bullets.

[FF Freak]

I can see what you mean by Sudden Stop being remedy's way of saying they're done with Max Payne. I was surprised and a little disappointed when i first learned that Max payne 3 was being made by Rockstar.

[LARZ]

I want Alan Wake 2 to have co-op

[Zeph101]

If anything the worst things about the game were the climbing/jumping mechanics and the fact that Nightingale was a pointless character. Oh and no quick turn.

IDK how to do spoiler tags, so read this at your own discretion.



In regards to Nightingale I have a suspicion about his character I believe the writers were hinting at. His obssesion with Alan seems starange, as does his complete lack of backstory. Now, I decided to pay an extra $20 for the collectors edition that came with a book that I'll get to after I point out a few things: Nightingale seems to know about the manuscript before he meets Wake. He also seems to know about Wake being the cause of what is happening in 'the story', ala the events that are happening. He also seems to have his suspicion confirmed when he reads the manuscripts, getting understandably freaked out and angry over it that his current action are not his own. In one of the T.V flashbacks, we learn that Wake claims he has to write himself into the story, and that it has to be real, that the protaganist must seem as if he can die and there must be people trying to stop him.
Now, on to the book. It's done as a fake research text on someone investigating Wake and Brightfalls. He finds a box in a motel under the floorboards or something, with a whole heep of Nightengale's belongings and invetigation evidence on Wake. There are some diary notes by Nightengale which he started writing during the week Wake blacked out, revealing that Nightengale lost a partner or something that drove him to being an alcoholic. There are also audio interviews, showing that Nightengale warns certain characters of just how dangerous and powerful Wake is. Okay, so this is pretty obvious, but the last interview gives it away for me now in hindsight: Nightengale arrives drunk at Hartman's lodge, shouting through the intercome at Hartman to let him in and see Wake. Hartman, being an asshole, claims he doesen't know where Wake is and then starts taunting him about his rights but get this! Hartman can tell he's drunk and says something along the lines of "let me guess, suffered a tragic loss and now you're an alcoholic FBI agent? Pathetic, such a cliche!". Dun dun duunnnn!
Now, Hartman knows about the power the darkness gives to artisits and particuarly Wake. Nightengale is angry at Wake for no apparent reason, seems pointless with no backstory, and Hartman calls him a cliche! Seems to me that, ... wait for it... Nightengale never actually existed!!! He was just a character Alan made for the story. Nightengale is obviously pissed.

[Natrak]

That's what I figured when playing the game, but hearing about the fact he'd been fleshed out in The Alan Wake Files gave me second thoughts.

[Cerebral]

Sam Lake doing the 'face' on the TV show was awesome.

[schrodingerscat]

Bit of gameplay footage from first Alan Wake DLC, The Signal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48h-KaREf7Y

It appears Wake will be the protagonist in the DLC (I thought they might let you play from the point of view of another character).

Looks pretty exciting.

[LARZ]

Bit of gameplay footage from first Alan Wake DLC, The Signal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48h-KaREf7Y

It appears Wake will be the protagonist in the DLC (I thought they might let you play from the point of view of another character).

Looks pretty exciting.

That looks awesome! Until I saw this I had forgotten what a purdy game Alan Wake is. Can't wait for the DLC!!

[Shorty]

Just picked up the LCE for $89 at JB Hi-Fi. So far, I'm enjoying it. Very atmospheric.

[Spudzilla]

I heard in one of the DLC's, Barry accompanies you the ENTIRE TIME

[grimace06]

I heard in one of the DLC's, Barry accompanies you the ENTIRE TIME

Sold.

[Shorty]

Come tour Bright Falls, Alaska with Vinnie Gognitti's fat, white cousin.